Security stepped up in West Bengal ahead of Independence Day

Ahead of the 65th Independence Day celebrations, the security forces have been placed on high alert in West Bengal's Siliguri District.

The Customs Department, including the Sashastra Seema Bal and the Border Security Forces are thoroughly checking all the vehicles and passer bys at the border.

Superintendent of Police of Siliguri, Dipendra Pratap Singh, said that they were taking all the precautionary measures to ensure that the Independence Day is celebrated peacefully.

"Siliguri area lies on international borders. So, we have informed the SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) and BSF (Border Security Force) before hand. Apart from that, we have also informed the Bihar Police and they are keeping an eye open and so are we", said Singh.

We are getting the support of district police and the State armed police forces as well. We are keeping a regular check (on the commuters). We have alerted everybody, so that the celebration of August 15th pas off peacefully," he added.

The police authorities are also keeping a vigil at various places such as bus-stands, railway stations, hospitals, and nursing homes.